On Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May, we held our 6th SuperSensory Inclusive Kilometre at Histon (just north-east of Cambridge) and our 9th overall. It was a huge success!
With 125 participants, at least 36 of whom are disabled, it truly was an inclusive run, walk, or wheel.
Thanks to our sponsors: Bidwells, PEM, Mishcons, and One Broker, and a great turn out of volunteers we were able to provide real sensory experiences at each of the five sensory stations.
The Smell tent was favoured by young Harish; well done to Mahesh, Heidi and Steve, stalwart volunteers. I loved that they set up a trick box – many folks guessed curry powder but only one guessed it correctly – which was – nothing at all, the canister was empty!! It is amazing what we can smell when we think something must have a smell. And a prize should go to one participant who shocked us all by guessing all the aromas perfectly, only to confess after that she used to be an aromatherapist!
Daniel Whittaker and his team from Mishcon de Reya (like Mahesh and Heidi) drove from London to host the Sight tent – a blacked out gazebo. They had two bubble machines going full tilt to great acclaim and a “thin/fat” mirror, collected by trustee Gemma and her partner Greg, which was loved by the children.
The Williams family were back for a second SS1K and they own the Touch tent.
Do read up on Rosie, our wonderful and inspiring ambassador.
Shona and family are newcomers but embraced Hearing with gusto. From sponsors PEM – fantastic supporters of Power2Inspire over the years – they discovered that the noisier instruments were the most favoured. Also, a couple of rugs with toy instruments scattered on top proved very popular with the youngest participants.
David Ellis and Tim Boyden of the Rotary Club were ably assisted by a crew from Bidwells on Taste – deliberately sited close to the finish. As ever, it proved popular, but the pieces of chilli were avoided by most.
Shout outs to or other volunteers – Patrick Gosling, Yuri and Katya; and Tony and Chris Barr for these lovely photos. Without our wonderful volunteers, these inspiring, fun and moving events cannot go ahead, so we salute you! Anyone out there who would like to volunteer, don’t be shy, just sign up!
A couple of moments stood out: a young boy with some impairments, sprinted over the finish line shouting with a big grin,
“I did it! I won!”
And one family declared,
“Our family really enjoyed it, we thought it was a wonderful event!”
We have two more SS1Ks scheduled: one at Milton Country Park on Sunday 7th July with an inclusive cycling festival, sounds great fun; and one at Shelford Rec on Sunday 29th September. Mark your diaries. And we have already been invited back for next year as part of the Histon Running Festival – Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2025!
A final thanks to the Histon & Impington Friends of the Rec. who make it run so smoothly.
We love helping to make your festival truly inclusive, and ensure “No one is left on the bench!”
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you. Would you like to host a SuperSensory1K at your local Fun Run or Park Run? Or would you like to volunteer at our next event? Or could you give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
Special thanks again to Tony Barr of Alban Images Photography for his fantastic photography on the day. All photos used with permission
